Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has already endured a lost season due to injury, but his road back has been even tougher than expected.Haliburton detailed a difficult two-month battle with shingles that left him physically and mentally drained while rehabbing his torn Achilles, speaking to reporters in Indianapolis.I couldnt even go in front of a camera if I wanted to early, because my eye was basically closed shut, Haliburton said. It was all over my face.The illness forced Haliburton to step away from the team after being diagnosed in February, adding another setback to a season in which he never saw the court. While recovering, he dealt with a painful rash, constant itching, and visible swelling that lingered for weeks.Ive lost part of my eyebrow; my eye is always swollen from itching it, Haliburton said. I have good days and bad days, but for the most part its bad days. So, it has not been any fun.The 26-year-old also revealed that managing the condition wasnt straightforward. He underwent multiple treatment changes, including receiving a Botox injection, while one of the medications led to noticeable weight gain. The physical toll was evident, with swelling in his face and lingering discomfort even as the regular season came to a close.Despite the challenges, Haliburton has slowly worked his way back into basketball activities. He recently returned to five-on-five scrimmages, a step that had originally been planned much earlier before the illness delayed his progress. Encouragingly, he admitted that his Achilles injury is no longer top of mind, shifting his focus toward regaining full fitness.Related Article: Jake LaRavia Caps Perfect 82-Game Season With LakersThe experience also gave Haliburton a new perspective on the illness itself, especially after seeing its impact within his own family. His father, John, dealt with shingles last year as well, though in a different area of the body.I would tell anybody over 50 years old to get the [shingles vaccine], Haliburton said. This has sucked.READ MORE: Jake LaRavia Caps Perfect 82-Game Season With Lakers
